Retrospective on Bradford City nine who are departing

Anthony O'Connor was in the team all season, whether that be at centre-back, right-back or even central midfield, and Stuart McCall, Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars all saw him as a key cog in the side.

Lee Novak can perhaps count himself unlucky too, his goals having been the main reason City just about kept their head above water before the turn of the year.

We thought we'd take a look at the nine who are no more, and their time at City...

ANTHONY O'CONNOR

O'Connor joined from Aberdeen on a three-year contract back in June 2018, and was made club captain within four months.

He lost that role to Paul Caddis soon after, but remained a mainstay even after relegation.

He missed just a handful of league games in his three seasons at City, racking up well over 100 appearances in League One and Two, and seemed to have found a wily defensive partner in Paudie O'Connor.

Despite nearly a decade of first-team experience in both England and Scotland, the Irishman is still only 28, and will surely have plenty of clubs sniffing around for him.

CONNOR WOOD

Wood also signed a three-year deal in 2018, and like O'Connor has been a first-team regular, especially as time has gone on.

His appearance against Morecambe on Saturday was his 82nd consecutive start in claret and amber, though he was expected to move on at the end of the season.

Wood played as a regular left-back, a roaming left wing-back, and his crossing ability was often one of the Bantams' greatest assets within games.

But questions remained over his defensive solidity, and that could be something City focus on when they look to replace him this summer.

LEE NOVAK

Novak only joined last January, and was not the big-name striker City fans were after. But after a couple of crucial goals before lockdown, he really endeared himself to the fans this season.

A double against Stevenage secured City's first league win of 2020/21, before his absence through injury saw City slide towards the relegation zone under McCall.

But he returned to fitness in December, and crucial goals at Crawley, Grimsby and Tranmere helped the Bantams earn a vital seven points.

Sadly, injury then ruled him out for the majority of 2021, and though he played a part in the final four games, he was unable to score again, and it was perhaps those fitness issues which counted against him when it came to a new contract.

CLAYTON DONALDSON

The Bradford lad didn't sign for his hometown club until he turned 35, but sadly he was no longer the prolific striker that we had seen at Crewe and Brentford.

He only scored four league goals in both of his full seasons at City, and the veteran found the condensed 2020/21 schedule punishing, as he was perhaps forced into excess action due to the absence of Novak.

He was rarely used initially under Trueman and Sellars, but found himself thrust into an unfamiliar number 10 role at the end of March, which he largely excelled in.

But he was back on the bench for the last three games, and was always extremely unlikely to be offered a new deal at 37.

BILLY CLARKE

Clarke was part of the well-loved City teams that reached the League One play-offs twice in a row in 2016 and 2017, losing out to Millwall both times.

But a short-term deal in 2019 did not work out, and he struggled to recapture the form of his first spell this time around either.

He did score a couple of times this season, but failed to find the net after November.

He was in and out of the starting line-up under Trueman and Sellars and again at 33, was always unlikely to get a new deal. Don't expect to see Clarke back for a fourth spell at Valley Parade.

HARRY PRITCHARD

Signed by Gary Bowyer, who had worked with him previously at Blackpool, Pritchard made a relatively promising start, but injuries have hampered him.

He hardly started in the latter half of the previous curtailed season, and though he showed promise at times in a midfield three with Elliot Watt and Callum Cooke this year, and scored a crucial winner in December against Cambridge, the injury curse struck again.

He was ruled out for the season with a back injury in early March, and with Levi Sutton establishing himself alongside Watt and Cooke, it appeared Pritchard's time was up anyway.

ZELI ISMAIL

Ismail was unfortunate, with a slew of injuries hampering the exciting winger's chance to show what he could do at the club.

He made just 16 appearances in 2019/20 and fared even worse in this campaign, with his only league start coming against Forest Green way back in September, as hamstring issues plagued him.

If he can overcome his fitness troubles, there is still plenty of promise left in his career yet.

CONNOR SHANKS

Young Shanks never really got a look in at City after signing a one-year contract last summer, other than three EFL Trophy appearances.

The attacking midfielder appeared on the bench twice in the league, but never got on the pitch.

He still has time on his side to make a career for himself though.

WILL HUFFER

Huffer joined from Bradford (Park Avenue) in January, as goalkeeping back-up following Richard O'Donnell's thigh injury.

But the former Leeds man was never likely to stay, and with O'Donnell and Sam Hornby battling for the number one jersey, it remains to be seen if City bring in another third-choice youngster.